Fishbowl cleaning method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pitcher is provided as a preferred form of apparatus for use in a fishbowl cleaning procedure. The pitcher has a side wall extending from a floor to a rim. Holes are formed in the side wall spaced above a floor and below the rim. Water and fish can be poured from a fishbowl into the pitcher. The fish and residual water remain within the pitcher below lowermost holes in the side wall. Excess water drains through the holes in the side wall. The fishbowl can then be cleaned or otherwise reconfigured. Finally, the pitcher can be tilted to pour the residual water and the fish from the pitcher back into the fishbowl.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/077,595, filed on Mar. 17, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following invention relates to containers for transfer of fish andwater from a fishbowl or aquarium, such as for washing. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a method for cleaning a fishbowlutilizing a container with strategically placed holes in a side wallthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fishbowls and other aquariums require periodic cleaning. Such cleaningtypically involves washing inside surfaces of the glass and potentiallycleaning out gravel and other structures contained within the fishbowl.Such cleaning is typically most effective when the fish are firstremoved from the fishbowl.

Removing fish from the fishbowl can be accomplished following a varietyof different methods. Perhaps the most common method is to utilize a netto catch the fish. When such a net is utilized, the fish encounters bothmental and physical stress. Physical stress is associated with theamount of time that the fish is “out of water” when the net is liftedout of the water. Also, portions of the net coming into contact with thefish can damage protective films that collect on the scales of the fishor otherwise do damage to the scales or other portions of the fish bycoming in direct contact with the fish.

Such removal of the fish also is believed to cause the fish to encountersignificant psychological stress. First the fish endure a chaseexperience where the fish are attempting to avoid being caught by thenet. Second, the fish undergo the experience of having been caught inthe net and being unable to free themselves. Third, the fish undergoesthe stress associated with being removed from the water. Fourth, thefish is put in a container that usually is different from the water inthe fishbowl.

The physical and mental stress the fish encounter can cause the fish tobe more susceptible to disease or premature death. Furthermore, manyindividuals desire to minimize physical and emotional stress to the fishin recognition of the animal's right to be free from unnecessary harm.Accordingly, a need exists for a better way to remove fish from afishbowl than utilizing a net.

If a pitcher or other container is used and the contents of the fishbowlor other aquarium are merely poured into this separate container,further difficulties are encountered. If the container is too small, thecontainer must be repeatedly emptied until the filling procedure alsoresults in the fish going from the fishbowl into the container. If thecontainer is too large, the fish can be transitioned into the containerfairly easily but then the problem occurs when the fish must be capturedfor return back into the fishbowl. Hence, merely pouring all of thecontents of the fishbowl into a separate container is generally notcompletely effective.

Some water changing apparatuses are built into the fishbowl or aquarium.For instance, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0196442 toHolms teaches a dual-purpose cap and jar-aquarium with a series of smallapertures in the cap to allow aquarium water to be changed. However,Holms requires either purchasing of an aquarium of this type orspecially modifying an aquarium for this purpose, rather than having thefreedom to solve the problem for use with existing fishbowls and otheraquariums. Also, Holms cannot completely empty the aquarium forcleaning.

Other inventions are known in the prior art for containing live fish andwhich include holes therein to allow water to pass into and out of suchenclosures. For instance, bait containers for containing fish which areintended to be used as live bait are in the form of enclosures havingholes therein. However, these enclosures are complete including an upperportion thereof, and so are not effective for pouring of contents of afishbowl or aquarium into such enclosures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With this invention an apparatus is provided in the form of a pitcher.Water from a fishbowl or aquarium can be poured into the pitcher and thepitcher has an open upper end surrounded by a rim to easily collect thewater poured out of the fishbowl. The pitcher uniquely includes aplurality of holes in a side wall thereof. These holes allow water topass out of the pitcher as the water is being poured into the pitcher.The pitcher also preferably includes a floor so that the pitcher canrest upon a substantially horizontal surface.

The holes are spaced above this floor by a minimum distance that definesa space which can readily hold the fish therein. For instance, lowestholes could be perhaps three inches above the floor. All of the water inthe fishbowl can be poured into the pitcher and flow out of the holes inthe side wall. The pitcher will ultimately contain any fish and justenough water between the lowermost holes and the floor for holding thefish while the fishbowl can be readily cleaned.

Once the fishbowl is cleaned and water has been added to the fishbowl,the fish and remaining water in the pitcher can be poured from thepitcher back into the fishbowl. The entire process can occur while thepitcher is within a separate basin or sink to collect the water thatpours out of the holes in the side wall of the pitcher.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide amethod for easily and reliably removing fish from a fishbowl, such asfor cleaning of the fishbowl or other aquarium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forcapturing a fish without traumatizing the fish or doing any physicaldamage to the fish.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pitcher forreceiving fish and water from an aquarium in a small amount, such aswhen the aquarium is to be cleaned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forcleaning a fishbowl which is simple enough to be performed by youngchildren.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure whichis open on an upper end so that water from a fishbowl or other aquariumcan be readily poured thereinto and which has holes in a side wallthereof to allow draining of water and leaving only fish and a smallamount of water within the enclosure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pitcher forreceiving fishbowl or aquarium water which can fit within a separatebasin or sink so that a minimum of spilled water occurs whiletransferring water out of the fishbowl.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent froma careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the pitcher defining a preferredform of apparatus for use in the fishbowl cleaning method of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a fishbowl before removal of a fishand water therefrom.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the pitcher of this invention andthe aquarium with the aquarium tilted and with water pouring into thepitcher.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the pitcher of this invention withina basin and with the fishbowl completing the process of pouring waterout of the fishbowl, through the pitcher and into a drain of the basin.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the pitcher of this invention withfish and a small amount of water contained therein, following theprocess of emptying out contents of the fishbowl.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6 andwith the pitcher tilted to the side to further reduce an amount of waterwithin the pitcher.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the pitcher and fishbowl togetherand with the fishbowl receiving water and fish from the pitcher, whichhas been tilted to pour the water and fish back into the fishbowl.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10is directed to a pitcher (FIGS. 1-3) providing a preferred form ofenclosure apparatus for practicing the fishbowl cleaning method of thisinvention. The pitcher 10 can receive a fish F and a small amount ofwater W from a fishbowl A by having the contents of the fishbowl Apoured into the pitcher 10. Excess water W pours out holes 40 in thepitcher 10, leaving only a small amount of water W and the fish F withinthe pitcher 10 (FIG. 7). The fishbowl A can then be thoroughly cleaned,partially filled with water and the remaining water W and fish F withinthe pitcher 10 can be poured back into the fishbowl A (FIG. 9).

In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, basic details ofthe pitcher 10 are described. The pitcher 10 forms a substantiallycomplete enclosure on all sides except for an upper end thereof. Thepitcher 10 thus includes a floor 20 with a side wall 30 extending upfrom the floor 20 to a rim 14. A handle 12 extends from the side wall 30and a spout 16 is formed in the rim 14. Holes 40 are formed in the sidewall 30. These holes are above the floor 20 and below the rim. Whenwater W is poured into the pitcher 10 through the upper end thereof,water W and fish F collect within the pitcher 10 below the holes 40 andabove the floor 20. Excess water W pours out the holes 40. Such excesswater W can be captured within a basin B and drain D (FIG. 6) ifdesired.

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, specificdetails of the pitcher 10 are described. The pitcher 10 is preferably amonolithic structure formed from a homogeneous lightweight thin walledpolymeric hydrocarbon material, most preferably some form ofpolyethylene or other injection moldable plastic material. Mostpreferably, this material is at least partially transparent so thatcontents within the pitcher 10 can be most easily seen. It is alsoconceivable, but less desirable that the pitcher 10 could be formed fromother material. For instance, the pitcher 10 could be formed of glass,or formed of some form of metal or composite materials.

The pitcher 10 is preferably sufficiently rigid so that it maintains thesame shape regardless of whether it is full or empty or whether it isupright or angled. The pitcher 10 has a generally cylindrical form witha circular floor 20 defining a lower end of the pitcher 10 and an upperend surrounded by a rim 14. This rim 14 surrounds an opening into whichwater W and fish F can be readily poured into the pitcher 10.

A handle 12 preferably extends from the pitcher 10 near the rim 14. Thishandle 12 preferably first extends substantially horizontally and thenbends to extend substantially vertically downward. The handle 12 couldalternatively join back to the side wall 30 of the pitcher 10, but mostpreferably remains open at a lower end thereof. Most preferably, thehandle 12 is formed so that it can nest within other handles when thepitcher 10 is nested within other pitchers 10 of like form. The handle12 also is preferably a thin walled structure having a thickness similarto that of the side wall 30.

A spout 16 preferably extends from the rim 14 on a side of the rim 14opposite the handle 12. This spout 16 facilitates pouring of water andthe fish F out of the pitcher 10 such as when returning the water W andfish F back into the fishbowl A (FIG. 9). The spout 16 is preferably atleast twice as wide as it is deep and about three times taller than itis deep so that the spout is broad enough to keep the fish F fromimpacting sides of the spout 16 when being poured back into the fishbowlA. While the spout 16 and handle 12 are desirable, it is conceivablethat a simplified form of pitcher 10 could be provided without the spout16 or without the handle 12. In such a case, the user would merely graspthe side wall 30 of the pitcher 10 and let the rim 14 act as a form ofspout 16.

The side wall 30 extends from the floor 20 up to the rim 14 and ispreferably substantially cylindrical in form, with a slight taper sothat the rim 14 is greater in diameter than the floor 20, allowingpitchers 10 of like size and shape to be rested together. This side wall30 is preferably 1/32 of an inch thick and has just enough rigidity sothat it maintains its form whether full or empty. In this way, a weightof the pitcher 10 can be minimized to make it as easy to handle aspossible. In one embodiment the rim 14 can have a diameter of four and ahalf inches while the floor 20 can have a diameter of three inches. Mostpreferably, the floor 20 is entirely flat so that the pitcher 10 isstable when resting upon a substantially horizontal surface. If desired,the floor 20 could be formed with a larger diameter to further enhancestability of the pitcher 10 when resting upon a horizontal surface.Furthermore, all of the dimensions of the pitcher 10 could be scaled upor down to change an overall size of the pitcher 10 or to changeproportions of the various different components of the pitcher 10.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, particular details of the holes40 are described. The holes 40 pass through the side wall 30 and providea path for water W to escape out of the pitcher 10. In particular, thefishbowl A contains more water W than is needed to keep the fish F safeand healthy during the short period of time that the fishbowl A is beingcleaned. As water W and the fish F are poured into the pitcher 10,excess water W passes through the holes 40 and can then be collectedwithin a basin B to pass down a drain D (FIG. 6).

In the preferred embodiment, the holes 40 are 5/32 of an inch indiameter. However, holes slightly larger or smaller can also beeffective. Most preferably, the holes 40 are no larger than ¼ of aninch. The holes are preferably provided in a three by five array offifteen holes with five holes in a lowermost horizontal row, five holesin a middle row and five holes in an upper row. The holes 40 in thelowermost row define a height for the surface S of the water W withinthe pitcher 10 containing the fish F. The holes 40 in the middle andupper rows remove excess water W more efficiently during the initialpouring process when a large rate of inflow of water W into the pitcher10 might be experienced, to help prevent overflow of the pitcher 10.

Holes of 5/32 of an inch diameter have been found by experiment andstudy of appropriate literature on fish to be sized appropriately toboth efficiently remove water W from the pitcher 10 and also be smallenough to preclude nearly all species of fish commonly sold via retailfish stores from passing therethrough once the fish are mature.Typically, fish continue to grow throughout their life. Fish are definedas mature once they are past an egg stage and past a fry stage when theymight otherwise be exceedingly small.

The holes 40 could alternatively take on a variety of differentconfigurations. For instance, the holes could be staggered or providedin various different patterns, even conceivably patterns that spellwords or provide other attractive symbols. The holes might even beprovided in a pattern which spells a trademark for the pitcher 10product.

The holes 40 could be in some shape other than circular, with circularholes merely being easy to form by a drill. The term holes 40 is broadlymeant to include not only holes that might be drilled through the sidewall 30, but also to include fenestrations within a screen structure orany other openings in the side wall 30 through which water W can pass.For instance, in one embodiment a large hole might be provided and thencovered with a screen structure with fenestrations in the screen smallenough to preclude fish from passing therethrough. Such fenestrationswould be considered to be holes within the meaning of this invention.

Most preferably, the holes 40 are grouped together in a specific regionon the side wall 30 that places the holes closer to the handle 12 thanto the spout 16. In particular, the holes 40 are preferably not directlybeneath the handle 12, but slightly to the side of the handle 12 butstill closer to the handle 12 than to the spout 16. The preferredposition for the holes 40 is perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 3.

In use and operation, and with particular reference to FIGS. 4-9, thesteps in the method utilizing the pitcher 10 of this invention, such asfor cleaning the fishbowl A, are illustrated. Initially, the fish F iscontained within the fishbowl A, swimming within water W below a surfaceS of the water W within the fishbowl A. This fishbowl A could begenerally spherical as shown or could have any of a variety of differentshapes common for fishbowls or aquariums. While this invention is mostsuitable for fishbowls A or other aquariums that are small enough to beeasily picked up and tilted for pouring water W out of the fishbowl A,this method could also be utilized for larger fish containing tanks,aquariums or other fish enclosures.

The pitcher 10 is then placed upon a horizontal surface. Mostpreferably, this surface is within a basin B, such as a sink (FIG. 6).The fishbowl A is then brought near the pitcher 10 and tilted so thatwater W pours out of the fishbowl A and into the pitcher 10 (FIG. 5). Asthis process continues, the fish F will ultimately fall with the water Wout of the fishbowl A and into the pitcher 10.

Once sufficient water W has poured into the pitcher 10 to reach theholes 40, the water W pours through the holes 40 and down the drain D(FIG. 6). The fish F remains with a small amount of water W beneath asurface S within the pitcher 10 (FIG. 6).

Once all of the water W has been poured from the fishbowl A, the fish Fremains within the water W at a lower portion of the pitcher 10 (FIG.7). The fishbowl A can then be thoroughly cleaned or otherwise modifiedwithout interfering with the fish F. Once the fishbowl A has beenthoroughly cleaned or otherwise prepared, the fish F is ready to bereturned to the fishbowl A.

If it is desired to minimize return of residual water A along with thefish F back into the aquarium A, the pitcher 10 can be finally tiltedsomewhat at an angle toward the holes 40 so that some of the residualwater W remaining within the pitcher 10 can be removed (FIG. 8). Thistilting technique can also be followed to minimize the possibility ofspilling water W out of the holes 40 before the user is ready to pourthe water W back into the fishbowl A.

Finally, the pitcher 10 can be tilted in an opposite direction towardsthe spout 16 and the remaining residual water W and fish F can be pouredback into the fishbowl A (FIG. 9). Because the holes 40 are preferablyslightly closer to the handle 12 than to the spout 16, the process ofremoving a portion of the residual water W is facilitated when thepitcher 10 is tilted laterally. Then, when the pitcher 10 is tilted in amanner aligned with the spout 16 for return of residual water W and fishF back into the fishbowl A, no water W passes through the holes 40. Notethat the fish F remains within the water W during the entire transferprocess. As a result, physical and mental harm to the fish F is kept atan absolute minimum.

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of theinvention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thusdescribed the invention in this way, it should be apparent that variousdifferent modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. When structuresare identified as a means to perform a function, the identification isintended to include all structures which can perform the functionspecified.

1. An apparatus for cleaning a fishbowl, the apparatus comprising incombination: an enclosure; said enclosure adapted to contain water; saidenclosure having an open upper end and a closed lower end; saidenclosure having a side wall extending from said upper end to said lowerend; a plurality of holes in said side wall, each of said holes spacedabove said lower end and below said upper end; said plurality of holesincluding at least one lowermost hole, said lowermost hole locatedcloser to said lower end than to said upper end; and said lowermost holeunobstructed laterally on an exterior side of said side wall to allowwater to flow through said lowermost hole laterally and then down awayfrom said enclosure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosureincludes a handle coupled thereto, said handle adapted to be gripped bya hand of a user for maneuvering of said enclosure.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a spout on said upper end. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a flooradjacent said lower end, said floor being substantially flat, said flooradapted to rest upon a substantially horizontal surface supportingportions of said enclosure above said floor upon the substantiallyhorizontal surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said holes insaid side wall are spaced from each other horizontally to form asubstantially horizontal line parallel with said floor.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein said holes are spaced from said floor at least twoinches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holes are at least assmall as a quarter of an inch in width.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said closed lower end has a smaller diameter than said openupper end, sufficient to facilitate nesting of like enclosures at leastpartially inside one another.
 9. A pitcher for temporary storage offish, the pitcher comprising in combination: an enclosure; saidenclosure adapted to contain water; said enclosure having an open rimdefining an upper end of said enclosure; said enclosure having a floordefining a lower end of said enclosure; said enclosure having a sidewall extending from said floor to said rim; a plurality of holes in saidside wall, each of said holes spaced above said floor and below saidrim; wherein said side wall is substantially cylindrical in form withsaid floor being substantially circular and said rim being substantiallycircular; and wherein said floor has a smaller diameter than said rim,sufficient to facilitate nesting of like pitchers at least partiallyinside one another.
 10. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein a handle extendsfrom said side wall, said handle adapted to be gripped by a hand of auser; and wherein said pitcher includes a spout on a side of said rimopposite said handle.
 11. The pitcher of claim 10 wherein said holes arecloser to said handle than to said spout.
 12. The pitcher of claim 9wherein said holes are provided in a three by five array, five holeswide and three holes high, with each of the three rows of holesextending substantially horizontally and parallel with said floor. 13.The pitcher of claim 9 wherein said holes are at least as small as aquarter of an inch in width.
 14. A pitcher for temporary storage offish, the pitcher comprising in combination: a water containingenclosure; said enclosure having an open rim defining an upper end ofsaid enclosure; said enclosure having a floor defining a lower end ofsaid enclosure; said enclosure having a side wall extending from saidfloor to said rim; a plurality of holes in said side wall, each of saidholes spaced above said floor and below said rim; and wherein said floorhas a size smaller than said rim, sufficient to facilitate nesting oflike pitchers at least partially inside one another.
 15. A method forsafely removing a fish from an aquarium, such as for cleaning theaquarium, the method including the steps of: selecting an apparatusincluding an enclosure; the enclosure having an open upper end and aclosed lower end; the enclosure having a side wall extending from theupper end to the lower end; and a plurality of holes in the side wall,each of the holes spaced above the lower end and below the upper end;pouring the water and fish from the aquarium into the upper end of theapparatus; and allowing water to drain out of the apparatus through theholes with water and the fish remaining below the holes and above thelower end of the enclosure.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein saidpouring step is preceded by the step of placing the apparatus in a watercollection basin.
 17. The method of claim 15 including the further stepof tilting the apparatus to further pour water through the holes andreduce water remaining within the apparatus.
 18. The method of claim 15including the further step of pouring remaining water and the fish fromthe apparatus back into the aquarium.
 19. The method of claim 15including the further step of configuring the apparatus of saidproviding step to include the closed lower end having a smaller sizethan the open upper end, sufficient to facilitate nesting of likeapparatuses at least partially inside one another with the closed lowerend fitting within the open upper end.
 20. The method of claim 15wherein said allowing step includes the step of keeping the apparatusupright with the open upper end above the closed lower end, and withwater draining out of the apparatus through the holes in the side wall.21. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing step includesproviding the plurality of holes with at least one lowermost hole, thelowermost hole located closer to the lower end than to the upper end,the lowermost hole unobstructed laterally on an exterior side of theside wall to allow water to flow through the lowermost hole laterallyand then down away from the enclosure.